Research Service
I live close to London's main archives and I specialise in London research before about 1925.
Many London ancestors are reluctant to be found. Few have name-labels hanging around their necks. They can easily disappear into the crowds, where they may hide or even change their identity. They relocate with alarming frequency, and often have to be wheedled out of the census. In their attempts to avoid recognition and capture, they adopt many different strategies.
Researching in London poses unique challenges and can be daunting, especially to those unfamiliar with its history and geography. As a Londoner with long experience of researching in the capital, I may be able to help.
I regularly visit all the main record repositories for research, including
I also visit London's many Local Studies libraries, including
Other record offices and archives in the south-east, including those for the counties of Berkshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey, can be visited by arrangement.
For research that falls outside my local area, I can often recommend an experienced colleague.
Many London ancestors are reluctant to be found. Few have name-labels hanging around their necks. They can easily disappear into the crowds, where they may hide or even change their identity. They relocate with alarming frequency, and often have to be wheedled out of the census. In their attempts to avoid recognition and capture, they adopt many different strategies.
Researching in London poses unique challenges and can be daunting, especially to those unfamiliar with its history and geography. As a Londoner with long experience of researching in the capital, I may be able to help.
I regularly visit all the main record repositories for research, including
- The National Archives, Kew
- The London Archives (formerly London Metropolitan Archives)
- Guildhall Library
- City of Westminster Archives Centre
- British Library
- Society of Genealogists
- London Family History Centre (LDS)
- Caird Library, National Maritime Museum
I also visit London's many Local Studies libraries, including
- Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre
- Hackney Archives
- Islington Local History Centre
- Lambeth Archives
- Southwark Local Studies Library
- Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives
Other record offices and archives in the south-east, including those for the counties of Berkshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey, can be visited by arrangement.
For research that falls outside my local area, I can often recommend an experienced colleague.
Aren't all the records online?
Many London records are online, including the census and numerous parish registers. Enormous strides in digitisation have been made in the last 10 years, but online data still represents only the tip of the iceberg. The National Archives at Kew holds more than 11 million documents, while The London Archives (formerly London Metropolitan Archives) has over 105km of archives. Only a fraction of these records will probably ever be available online.
Access to some of the most interesting and informative London records requires a personal visit to the archives. Online catalogues can be wonderful finding-aids, but many are incomplete, and the descriptions of the records they contain are necessarily summarised. As a result, ancestors may be lurking unindexed and unacknowledged in dark corners of the archives, where personal research can sometimes bring them back into the light.
While much genealogy data has been indexed and transcribed online, even the best transcript may not be complete. An original document may contain additions that have eluded the transcriber. Perhaps there is a comment pencilled in the margin, a note scribbled on the reverse, or an annotation that cross-refers to another source and might open up a new avenue for research? Minor details such as these can add significantly to our findings.
Access to some of the most interesting and informative London records requires a personal visit to the archives. Online catalogues can be wonderful finding-aids, but many are incomplete, and the descriptions of the records they contain are necessarily summarised. As a result, ancestors may be lurking unindexed and unacknowledged in dark corners of the archives, where personal research can sometimes bring them back into the light.
While much genealogy data has been indexed and transcribed online, even the best transcript may not be complete. An original document may contain additions that have eluded the transcriber. Perhaps there is a comment pencilled in the margin, a note scribbled on the reverse, or an annotation that cross-refers to another source and might open up a new avenue for research? Minor details such as these can add significantly to our findings.
Workhouse and Poor Law records
Workhouse and Poor Law records can be a huge help in locating ancestors. They can provide proof of family relationships where other documents may be lacking. Details of schooling, apprenticeship, employment or health may enable us to track people's movements from one place to another. Records of those receiving poor relief in their own homes illustrate how our ancestors lived their lives and the hardships they faced.
Many of London's most informative poor law records -- such as Settlement Examinations, Removal Orders and Board of Guardians' minute books -- are not available online. Those records that have been uploaded (such as workhouse registers) are largely unindexed, making them difficult and time-consuming to use. Most London poor law records can be inspected in person at The London Archives (formerly London Metropolitan Archives) or Westminster City Archives.
Many of London's most informative poor law records -- such as Settlement Examinations, Removal Orders and Board of Guardians' minute books -- are not available online. Those records that have been uploaded (such as workhouse registers) are largely unindexed, making them difficult and time-consuming to use. Most London poor law records can be inspected in person at The London Archives (formerly London Metropolitan Archives) or Westminster City Archives.
Criminal records
In times of hardship many of the poor were tempted into crime. Those who were apprehended may appear in court records from the Old Bailey, the county or borough assizes, or the quarter sessions. For offenders under sentence of death or transportation there may be associated documents, such as petitions for clemency, judges' reports, free or conditional pardons, releases on licence, and entries in prison registers. These can contain valuable data to help us track our ancestors. Many such records are held at the National Archives.
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